Display apparatus



June 26, 1934. E. M. WELSH 1,964,549

DISPLAY APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 4, 1930 '7 Sheets-Sheet l June 26,1934. E. M. WELSH 1,964,549

DI SPLAY APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 4, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 E E a i10 I 50' |& r

y a 19 l L/ June 26, 1934. E M WELSH DISPLAY APPARATUS Original FiledOct. 4, 1930 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 26, 1934. WELSH 1,964,549

DISPLAY APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 4, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 26,9 E. M. WELSH 1,964,549

- DISPLAY APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 4, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 z-': 4zJ a K561 z/lg 45 June 26, 1934. E. M. WELSH 1,964,549

DISPLAY APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 4, 1930 v Sheets-Sheet 6 1??zfircfo 7, ala farafl 7. 6 7672.

WW w June 26, 1934. E. M. WELSH DISPLAY APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 4,1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented June 26, 1934 Ui TiED STATES ATENTGFFliCE DISPLAY APPARATUS Application October 4, 1930, Serial No.486,373 Renewed November 16, 1933 66 Claims.

My invention relates to a display apparatus and is concerned moreparticularly with mechanism of this character which intended for theautomatic presentation of a variety of advertisements, or otherinformation, in the form of wound, roller curtains which are unrolledand rolled for periodic display of their subject matter.

One object of my invention is to devise an apparatus of the characterindicated in which the wound curtains are unrolled across a displayopening by a carrier which is guided at or near its ends and moved by aforce applied substantially at its mid-portion to prevent any cantingtendency during movement and possibility of binding in its guideways.

A further object is to provide an apparatus for the purpose notedwherein a plurality of wound curtains are removably positioned in eachof a pair of magazines, which are disposed at opposite ends of thedisplay opening, with a carrier reciprocating therebetween forsimultaneous engagement with a curtain from each magazine, movement ofthe carrier in one direction accomplishing a rolling of one curtain forremoval from the display opening and an unrolling of the other curtainfor observation, while movement of the carrier in the opposite directioneffects a reversal of these conditions, the carrier being actuated inboth directions by a member engaging therewith substantially at itsmid-point and each of the magazines being progressively indexed by saidmember through a simple lever and gear arrangement to present therespective curtains in succession to the carrier for unrolling in thedisplay opening.

A further object is to devise a display apparatus as above set forth inwhich a movable, endless member, generally in the form of a belt, isutilized to both reciprocate the carrier which exposes the curtain fordisplay and also to index the curtain magazine to present the curtainsheld therein successively to the carrier for unwinding, the belt havingembedded therein a lever, flexible in one plane and substantially rigidin a plane normal thereto, which is provided with an externallyrojecting stud member on one side thereof for driving engagement withthe carrier and also with a similar stud member on the opposite sidethereof which actuates the indexing mechanism.

A further object is to provide means for holding the carrier in positionadjacent the magazine for a predetermined time during the removal of thepreviously displayed curtain and the insertion of a new curtain rollerfrom the magazine, the curtain from the other magazine then being in aposition for observation, the holding means for the carrier being in thenature of a latch plate on the frame which is automatically and lockablyengaged with the carrier by the driving belt just prior to the releasingor" the latter from the carrier, and disengaged by said belt subsequentto the renewal of the latter connection with the carrier.

A further object is to devise a simple driving mechanism for anapparatus of the character described comprising generally an endlessbelt operating over a plurality of pulleys which are disposed to securethe desired indexing of the magazines and, between the latter, toconfine the belt to a path of movement for reciprocating the carrier,the pulleys which accomplish the latter result having a relatively largeradius in order to insure a gradual increase or decrease in speed of thecarrier as it recedes from or approaches its terminal position andconsequently an initiation of movement or a stoppage, respectively,which is free from shock.

A further object is to incorporate in a display apparatus, embodying amagazine for the support of the curtain rollers and a carrierreciprocably mounted with respect to the magazine for the abstractiontherefrom of one of the curtain rollers, its subsequent display andreturn to the magazine, cam surfaces on the magazine and carrierengageable by the ends of one of the curtain rollers during indexingmovement or" the magazine to draw the carrier into correct transferposition, thereby rendering unnecessary a precise accuracy of theseveral parts and neutralizing any tendency of the carrier to occupy aslightly displaced position by reason of the wear of parts or for otherreasons.

A further object is to provide simple devices on the carrier forreceiving and retaining the ends of the curtain rollers, the oppositeend of the curtain being secured to a magazine, the devices permittingautomatically a release of the roller then held upon the completion or"the carrier movement toward a magazine, and a reception of a new rollerupon the indexing of the magazine.

A further object is to devise a novel curtain roller for use in theabove apparatus in which the spring mechanism, utilized as there-rolling agent, is centralized with respect to its actuation of theroller, thereby insuring a smooth action during the re-rollingoperation, free from any frictional drag arising from misalignment ofthe parts.

A further object is the provision of a support for the driving motor, orother power agency,

I capacity for efficient operation of the parts wholly independent ofchanges occurring in the curtain material due to climatic variations,design and combine the several parts of the mechanism so that the powerrequirements are comparatively small, and finally to arrange the machinefor substantially noiseless operation so that it is capable of use in awide range of locations.

These and further objects of my invention will be set forth in thefollowing specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, and the novel means by which said objects are efiectuated willbe definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved display apparatus, thereciprocating carrier being shown in an intermediate position betweenthe magazines and the display curtains attached thereto partially brokenaway to show certain details in the rear of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a section taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, looking in thedirection of the arrows, showing the upper and lower magazines, thereciprocating carrier, parts of the driving and indexing mechanism, andthe means for holding the carrier in position adjacent both magazines.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1,looking in the direction or the arrows, and showing the arrangement ofthe curtain roller ends in the upper magazine, the same constructionbeing employed also for the lower magazine.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section along the line 4-4 in Fig. 1, looking inthe direction of the arrows, and showing the position assumed by theconcealing bar when the reciprocating carrier has moved to a positionadjacent the lower magazine.

Fig. 5 is a section along the line 55 in Fig. 1, looking in thedirection of the arrows, and showing the reciprocating carrier in plan.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevation of the left end of the reciprocatincarrier, looking in the direction of the arrow 6 in Fig. 5, showing thedevices on the carrier which receive the ends of the curtain roller andone of the roller shoes which operate along appropriate guideways.

Fig. 7 is a section along the line 7-7 in Fig. 6, looking in thedirection of the arrows and showing the specially shaped jaws on thecarrier which receive the ends of the curtain rollers.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the indexing mechanism for the uppermagazine, as viewed in the direction of the arrow 8 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is an elevation of the indexing mechanism shown in Fig. 8, asviewed in the direction of the arrow 9 in said figure.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged View of the central part of the traveling barportion of the reciprocable carrier, as viewed in the direction of thearrow 10 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is a plan view, partly in section, of so much of the travelingbar as is shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a section along the line 1212 in Fig. 10, looking in thedirection of the arrows, and showing the stud formed thereon whichengages with a suitable hook provided on the frame for re taining thecarrier for a predetermined time in either of its terminal positions.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged, side elevation of the driving belt, as viewed inthe direction of the arrow 13 in Fig. 2, the portion of the beltselected showing the laterally projecting indexing and driving studs.

Fig. 14 is a plan view, partly in section, of the portion of the drivingbelt shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a section along the line 15-15 in Fig. 13, looking in thedirection of the arrows, and showing the internal, fabric reenforcementfor the belt.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged, sectional elevation of the lower, right end ofthe upper magazine, the reciprocating carrier being shown immediatelyadjacent thereto for the purpose of discharging one of the curtainrollers carried thereby and receiving a new roller from the magazine,the curtain from the lower magazine occupying at that time a fullydisplayed position.

Fig. 17 is a section along the line l717 in Fig. 16, looking in thedirection of the arrows, and showing the relation of the cam surfacesformed on the magazine and the carrier to the ends of the curtainrollers.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged view of the upper portion of the apparatus, thetraveling bar being shown in section and in held position adjacent theupper magazine (not shown), showing the relation of the parts when thereciprocating carrier is occupying the indicated position and thedriving belt has left its engaging position with the carrier and ismoving toward the indexing mechanism for the upper magazine.

Fig. 19 is a View corresponding to Fig. 18, but showing the similarportion of the lower mechanism, the retaining hook for the carrier whenthe latter is occupying its lower position being shown in a position toreceive the stud on the traveling bar when the latter is moveddownwardly toward the lower magazine.

Fig. 29 is an enlarged, sectional elevation of one of the curtainrollers, showing the novel internal arrangement whereby the severalparts of the roller are centralized with respect to each other so thatthe several parts may rotate freely without excessive frictional drag.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged elevation, partly in section, of a portion ofeither one of the magazines, showing the mounting of a rod which isdetachably positioned in the magazine and to which one end of thecurtain is permanently secured, there being one of these rods for eachof the curtain rollers and all of the rods being retained in theirrespective magazines during the operation of the machine.

Fig. 22 is an enlarged section along the line 22-22 in Fig. 18, lookingin the direction of the arrows, and showing the frictional mounting ofthe retaining hook for the reciprocating carrier, whereby the hook willbe maintained in any position to which it may be moved.

Fig. 23 is a side elevation looking in the direction of the arrow 23 inFig. 1 and showing the relation of the motor driven pulley and one ofthe guiding idler pulleys on the principal mechanism.

In its most general aspect, my improved display apparatus comprises askeleton frame which is enclosed by a suitable, decorative housinghaving a display opening through which the curtains may be observed assuccessively presented by the mechanism.

Mounted in the skeleton frame are upper and lower magazines which carrythe wound curtains and between these magazines operate a reciprocablecarrier which is arranged for simultaneous engagement with a curtainfrom each of the magazines, the downward movement of the carrierexposing a curtain from the upper magazine and re-rolling the pr viouslydisplayed curtain from the lower magazine, while an upward movement ofthe carrier reverses this condition. Certain automatic devices aremployed to extract the curtain rollers from the magazine, one end ofeach curtain remaining fixed in the magazine; to index the magazine tosuccessively present the curtain carried thereby to the reciprocatingcarrier; to effect a movement of the carrier and an indexing of themagazines by a continuously moving, end less belt; to insure a correcttransfer of the curtain rollers to and from the reciprocating carrier atall times, regardless of wear which may occur in the several parts; andto provide a novel type of curtain roller and driving belt. All of theseparts will be described more fully hereinafter.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral 10 designates the externalcasing of the apparatus which may be decorated in any appropriatemanner. For the style of apparatus presently described, the casing 10will be closed at the rear thereof as at 11 (see Fig. 2) and on thefront side thereof will have an observation opening 12 having a size andshape just sufficient to expose to view the display curtains hereinafterdescribed.

Within the casin 10 is supported a skeleton frame 13 comprising theside, supporting standards 14, 1 whose distance apart substantiallydefines the width of the skeleton frame and which, in the form shown,are formed of simple tubing. The ends of the standards 14 are threadedto receive plugs 15 whose outer ends are shaped as o l spikes 16 forreception in correspondingly shaped depressions provided in the casing10. The several plugs 15 provide for such adjustment as may be necessaryto adequately seat the spikes 16 in the depressions of the externalcasing 10 and these points of attachment are the only locations in whichthe skeleton frame contacts with the casing 14), so that the frame issubstantially insulated from the latter in addition to performing itsprimary duties as a support for the principal mechanism. Adjacent theirends, each standard 14 has secured thereto a bracket 15, the arms ofwhich project toward each other and are bored to receive the ends ofupper and lower brace tubes 16 which are bridged between the standards14. At an intermediate point between the brackets 15, each tube 16 hassecured thereto one end of a bracket arm 17 (see Figs. 1 and 2), theopposite end of each projecting rearwardly for secureinent to theadjacent end of a vertical, centrally disposed tube 18 which is utilizedfor the support of parts hereinafter described. The parts above notedcomplete the major elements of the skeleton frame which supports theoperative parts of the mechanism and it will be particularly observedthat this frame is composed simply of two main supporting standardsappropriately spaced by bracing tubes, between which a third standard isconnected for the support of certain parts of the mechanism.

Referring again to Fig. 1, there depends from a convenient location onthe floor of the casing 10 a pair of spaced, U-shaped hangers 19, thehorizontal portions of which are provided with rubber sleeves 19 orsleeves formed of an equivalent shock absorptive material. Bridgedbetween said sleeves and gripping the same is a pair of clamp members 19and 19 which are secured in position by a cap screw 19 the shank ofwhich is threadedly received by the upper member 19 The latter memberserves as a support for a motor 20 which is fixedly attached thereto inany convenient manner and therefore completely insulated from the maincasing by the sleeves 19 The motor 20 is suitably connected to a sourceof electric power and the shaft thereof drives the pulley 21, over whichrides a belt 22 for driving connection with a second pulley 23 which islocated in the lower right-hand corner of the machine (see Fig. l). Thepulley 23 is fixedly attached to a hub 24 (see Fig. 23) which in turn isloosely mounted on a shaft 41, said shaft being journaled in a bearingprovided by the junction of a pair of downwardly and laterallyprojecting arms 26 and 27, respectively, provided on the bracket 15.Forwardly of the pulley 23, an idler pulley 42 is fixedly mounted on thehub 24 for driving engagement with the endless belt 29. At the oppositeside of the frame 13 and at the same elevation as the pulley 42, anidler pulley 40 is also loosely mounted on a shaft 39 which is likewisejournaled in bearings provided by the junction of the arms 26 and 2'?provided on the lower lefthand bracket 15. A bracket 35 is secured tothe central standard 18 and is provided with a pair of laterallyprojecting arms 36, 36, disposed on opposits sides of the standard 18,and in the ends of which are journaled stub shafts 3'7, 37. The shafts37 are symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axisof the tube 18, which constitutes the vertical median line of the casing10, and on said shafts are journaled idler pulleys 38, the spacing ofthe stub shafts 37 on each side of the tube 18 being such that verticallines tangentially disposed to peripheries of the idler pulleys 38 willbe positioned relatively close to the aforesaid median line, as shownclearly in Fig. 1, for a purpose hereinafter explained. Likewise, thevertical disposition of the shafts 3'? are such that a tangent drawnbetween the upper of the pulley 4c and the lower side of the left-handpulley 38, and a tangent drawn between the upper side of the pulley andthe lower side of the right pulley 38, will lie in substantially ahorizontal plane al o for a purpose hereinafter explained. Adjacent theupper end of the tube 18, a bracket 31 is secured thereto, said bracketbeing similar in construction to the bracket 35 but reversely positionedto provide a pair of laterally extending arms 32 disposed on oppositesides of the tube 18 and whose ends have journaled therein stub shafts33 for the bearing support of idler pulleys as, 34, said pulleys 3aoccupying the same position with respect to the vertical, median line ofthe casing 10 as do the pulleys 38 above described. At the upper leftcorner of the casing 19, an idler pulley 28 is loosely mounted on ashaft which is journaled in a bearing provided by the junction of thearms 26 and 27 on the upper, left bracket 15 and at the opposite side ofthe skeleton frame 13 and disposed substantially at the same elevationas the pulley 28, is a pulley which is journaled on a shaft 31 alsohaving bearing support in the junction of the arms 26 and 27 on theupper right bracket 15. As with the lower group of pulleys, the verticaldexing mechanism for the magazine.

disposition of the pulleys 34 with respect to the upper pulleys 23 andis such that tangents drawn between the upper side of the pulleys 34 andthe lower sides of the pulleys 28 and 30, re spectively, will lie insubstantially a horizontal plane.

The pulley 42, which constitutes the driving pulley of the system, andthe idler pulleys 28, 30, 34, 38 and 40, comprise the system of drivingand guiding members over which the belt 29 operates in order to actuatethe mechanism hereinafter described. The pulley 42 constitutes the soledriving element in this system, while the several idler pulleys merelyserve to guide the belt 29 in certain definite directions. The directionof movement of the belt 29 is around the outside of the pulleys 28 and30, also the pulleys and 42, and in between the pairs of idler pulleys34 and 38, the portion of the belt 29 between the last named pulleystraveling downward between the left-hand pulleys 34 and 38 and upwardbetween the right-hand pulleys of the same number, as shown clearly inFig. 1.

The belt 29 is featured by a special construction which will be moreclearly understood by referring to Figs. 13 to 15, inclusive.Preferably, the belt 29 is formed of a suitable composition of rubberhaving the sectional profile shown in Fig. 15, which is substantiallyrectangular in shape with the centrally disposed ribs 43 'formedintegrally therewith on opposite sides thereof. For the purpose ofreenforcing this belt, it may have embedded therein throughout thelength thereof, a plurality of superimposed strips of 85- sitelyext-ending arms 46 which are joined by an intermediate portion 46 havinga width substantially that of the belt, the central part of the portion46 being bowed slightly as at 4'7 to provide a curved, bearing surfacefor the support of a pintle 48 which extends transversely of the beltand has journaled on one exposed end a roller 49 which is intended fordriving engagement with the reciprocable carrier as hereinafterdescribed, and on the other exposed end a roller 50 which is intended toactuate the in- A clamping plate 51 is mounted over the intermediateportion 46 to retain the pintle 48 and said plate is secured in positionby ears 46 formed on the portion 46 and bent over for the purposeindicated. Of the parts just described, all, except the rollers 49 and50 are completely embedded within the body of the belt 29 and thedisposition of the arms 46 within said belt is such that said arms willconform easily to the curvature of the several pulleys when the belt istraversing the same, but will effectively resist deformation of saidbelt in a plane normal thereto, so that when load is superimposed uponeither of the rollers 49 and 50, the belt 29 will remain substantiallyrigid and will effectively resist any tendency towards deflection.

As before stated, the belt 29, through. its laterally projecting roller49 which functions substantially as a stud member, has, at predeterminedtimes, driving engagement with a reciprocable carrier 52 for the purposeof displaying the curtains for obseravtion, which carrier will now bedescribed.

The reciprocable carrier 52 comprises a traveling bar 53 (see Figs. 2,5, 6, 10 and 11) which extends across the width of the machine and eachend thereof is secured to a roller shoe 54 (Fig. 6) which consists of anelongated bar 55, the ends of which are symmetrically disposed withreference to the bar 53, being positioned above and below said bar, andin said ends are rotatably mounted rollers 56 having peripheral grooves57 which ride on the thin rail 58 which is set in the adjacent side ofeach of the standards 14. The rollers 56 are spaced sufficiently farapart so that the shoe 54 is adequately supported for guidance along thestandards 14 without any possibility of the traveling bar 53 assuming acanted position between its guideways, said bar being therefore arrangedfor free and easy movement during its reciprocation between the upperand lower magazines.

Adjacent the extremities of the traveling bar 53, a pair of arms 59project forwardly of the machine (see Figs. 2 and 5) and each forwardend of said bars is provided with an upper slot 60 and a lower slot 61,(see Fig. 7) these slots being normally disposed to the direction of thecarrier traverse and facing inwardly of the machine. The rear portion ofthe upper side of the slot 60 is curved upwardly to provide a camsurface 62 and rear portion of the lower side or" the slot 61 curveddownwardly to provide a cam surface 63, the shape and disposition ofsaid cam surfaces serving to increase the width of said slots on therear sides thereof for a purpose hereinafter explained. The minimumwidths of the slots 60 and 61 are of such dimension as to freely receivethe ends of the curtain rollers as hereinafter described and in order toprevent inadvertent, trans erse movement of the roller ends whileoccupying the slots 60 and 61, the following instrumentalities areprovided. The forward ends of the arms 59 terminate in blocks 64 (seeFigs. 5 and 6), which blocks include the slots 60 and 61 abovedescribed. Each block 64 is provided with a pair of holes 65 and 66which are aligned with the center, respectively, of the slots 50 and 61,and also with the axes of the respective curtain rollers, as hereinafterdescribed, when said rollers are positioned in said slots. In the endsof the holes 65 and 66 (see Fig. 16) which. are adjacent the bases ofthe slots 60 and 61, seats 67 and. 68 are formed, against which restsballs 59 and '70, respectively, under the action of springs 71 and 72,the inner ends of which rest against their respective balls and theopposite ends of which are compressed by plugs '73 and 74 mounted in theblocks 64. The dispositions of the balls 69 and are such that theyproject slightly beyond the bases of the slots 60 and 61, which basesare vertically disposed, when the curtain rollers are positioned on thetraveling bar. said balls will be received in suitable holes provided inthe ends of said rollers as described more particularly hereinafter. Thespring actuated balls 69 and '70 interpose sufiicient resistance toprevent any normal tendency on the part of the curtain rollers to movetransversely, but this resistance is capable of being overcome by apositive force applied transversely to said ourtain rollers. When soapplied, this force moves the curtain rollers out of the slots 60 and 61and in so doing, depresses the balls 69 and 70 into the holes 65 and 66.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the traveling bar 53 carries adjacent itsends between the roller shoes 54 and the arms 59 a pair of closelywound, spiral springs '75, the rear end of each spring being providedwith an internally threaded bushing 76 which receives the shank of ascrew '77 that extends through a hole '78 provided in said bar. Theforward extremities of the springs are likewise provided with bushings'79, similar to the bushing '76, and attached thereto by means of screws80 are the opposite ends of a concealing bar 81 which partially shieldsthe curtain rollers (see Figs. 2 and 6) when in position on thereciprocating carrier, so that when one curtain is being unrolled fordisplay and the other curtain is being rolled for removal, theconcealing bar creates the impression that one curtain is disappearinginto another, a factor which is intended to stimulate and attractattention. Intermediate the extremities of the movements of the carrier,th springs '75 occupy a substantially horizontal position, but forreasons that will presently appear, it is important that the concealingbar 81 be capable of a slight yielding action upon the completion ofeither end of the ment of the carrier, this yielding being in a downwarddirection when the carrier is occupying uppermost position and in anupward direction (see Fig. 4) when said carrier is occupying itslowermost position. The flexible nature of the springs 75 permits thisyielding action, for when the latter occurs, the springs 75 are slightlybent between the traveling bar 65 and the concealing bar 81 and when theforce which occasions the yielding action is removed, said springs willstraighten and return the bar 81 to its normal horizontal position. Theyielding movem nts of the concealing bar 81 are effected during thereciprocating movements of the carrier, just prior to the completion ofits movement in either direction, by a striking of either the upper orlower edges of said bar against bumpers 82 which are carried on themagazine structure hereinafter described.

Since the endless belt 29 has driving engagement with the reciprocablecarrier 52 only during movement of the latter between the upper andlower portions of the machine and vice versa, and is free of drivingengagement at other times, it is necessary to provide means whereby thecontinuously moving belt may automatically engage with-said carrier tomove the same in one direction and to automatically disengage therefromupon the completion of said movement, these steps being carried outduring the movement of the carrier in both directions. The mechanismwhereby this mode of operation is obtained will now be described.

Referring to Figs. 2, 10, 11 and 18, the traveling bar 53 is formedsubstantially as a hollow shell which extends in opposite directions oneach side of he aforesaid median line of the casing 10 and terminatesadjacent the arms 59 (see Fig. 5). in cross sectional profile, the bar53 may have a square or rectangular shape and the rear side of said baris provided with a pair of open-ended slots 82 and 83, the open ends ofsaid slots being located adjacent the arms 59 and consequently adjacentthe upper pulleys 28 and 30, when the traveling bar occupying itsuppermost position, and adjacent the lower pulleys 40 and 42, when saidbar is occupying its lowermost position, for a purpose hereinafterexplained. The inner ends of the slots 82 and 83 terminate relativelyclose to the center point of the bar 53, thereby enabling asubstantially center point rive of said bar by the roller 49 whenengaged with either of the aforesaid slots as hereinafter described.Wearing strips 84 are secured to the upper and lower, inside surfaces ofsaid bar for direct engagement with the roller 49 and said strips extendfor a predetermined distance on opposite sides of the mid-point of saidbar, sufficient to insure maintaining the engagement of the roller 49with said bar until the temporary holding means of said bar have beenreleased or engaged, dependent upon the direction of movement of thebelt 29.

As before stated, the belt roller 49 engages with the walls of the slots82 and 83 in order to achieve reciprocation of the carrier and therelative dispositions of the idler pulleys 34 and 38 with respect to theupper pulleys 28 and 30, and the lower pulleys 40 and 42, respectively,are such that the aforesaid driving engagement is attained by directingsaid roller through an end of one of said slots and the disengagement ofthe driving connection is eirectua ed in the same manner, the particularslot engaged being dependent upon the direction of movement of thereciprocating carrier, the slot 82 being employed, for example, duringthe upward movement of said carrier and the slot 83 during its downwardmovement. Considering the lower right-hand corner of the machine, asshown in Fig. 1, it will be observed that, as the particular portion ofsaid belt which carries the roller 49 leaves the pulley 42 said rollerwill be immediately guided into the open end of the slot 82 andsubsequently into positive engagement with the wear plates 84. At thistime, the roller 49 is moving in a direction that is substantiallynormal to the direction of carrier movement and consequently in a zerostate so far as the last movement is concerned, although the beltmaintains at all times a constant rate of speed. As soon as the roller49 passes the vertical diameter of the right pulley 38, it imparts aslowly increasing speed to the carrier as it rounds the periphery ofsaid pulley until it reaches a point lying in the plane of thehorizontal diameter of said pulley at which point full speed is attainedby the carrier 52. At the upper portion of the machine and on the sameside, the same series of steps will be passed through by the roller 49,

but in reverse order, so that the carrier is gradual- 1 ly brought torest. Accordingly, these phases of the operation are achieved in amanner which is substantially free from shock and in a manner whichinsures a gradual starting of the carrier from its position of rest ateither end ofthe machine until it attains its maximum speed of movement,and also a gradual slowing down of said carrier from its maximum speedof movement until it reaches its point of rest at either end of themachine.

At such times as the belt roller 49 is free of driving engagement withthe carrier, which it will be remembered occurs when said carrier is ateither end of its reciprocatory movement, an arrangement must beprovided to hold the carrier in either of the indicated positions,pending reengagement of the roller with said carrier. In order toaccomplish this result and referring to the upper portion of the machine(see Figs. 2, 18

and 22), a latch plate 85 is pivotally mounted on a pin 86 which extendsbetween the arms 87 of a bracket 88 which is secured to the central tube18 and which extends forwardly of the machine to support on its frontend the aforesaid latch plate. The end of the pin 86 between the arms 87has threaded thereon a nut 89 and a coil spring 90 encircles said pinbetween said nut and the adjacent face of said bracket in order toprovide an adjustable tension on said spring and accordingly adjust thefriction with which the its latch plate engages the face 91 of thebracket 88. This frictional mounting of the latch plate 85 insures thatit will retain itself in any position to which it moves, a factor whichis important as insuring the positive and uniform operation of themachine, preventing any inadvertent movement of said plate due to jarsor shocks external of the machine. A similar latch plate 92, describedmore particularly hereinafter, is located in inverted position at thelower end of the machine on the tube 18, as shown in Fig. 19. The latch85 is provided with a hook extension 93 which projects from the loweredge of said plate and the retaining pocket of which, when said plateoccupies the position shown in Fig. '18, embraces a roller 94 whichprojects rearwardly from the traveling bar 53 (see Figs. 11 and 12),thereby holding the carrier in its uppermost position. It will beobserved from an examination of Fig. 12 that the roller 94 projects fromthat side of the traveling bar 53 in which the slots-82 and 83 areformed. To the right of the hook 93, the latch 85 is provided withaninclined cam surface 95, formed by a depending finger 96 and which isdirected downwardly and away from said hook, as shown in Fig. 18, and onthe opposite side of said hook with a curved cam surface 97 whoseinclination, relative to a horizontal plane, is less than that of thesurface 95, but whose direction of inclination is generally the same.Owing to the frictional mounting of the latch plate 85, if the latterhas been moved so that the hook 93 engages the roller 94, said platewill remain in that position until positively released by some externalforce. Similarly, when either of the latch plates 85 and 92 areoccupying the released position, as shown by the latter plate in Fig.19, said plates will also maintain such position until moved by someexternal force.

After the roller 49 is released from driving engagement with the carrierat either end of its movement, the belt 29 passes over either of thegroups comprising pulleys 28 and 30, or the pulleys 40 and 42, andduring such movement the roller 50 actuates an indexing mechanism whichis operatively connected to a curtain roller magazine for the'purpose ofrotating the same through a definite angular distance and renderingavail- .able a new curtain for display. The mechanism whereby thisindexing movement is achieved will .now be described.

Considering the upper portion of the appara- "tus and referring to Figs.1, 2, 3 and 9, it will be remembered that the shaft 31 upon which theidler pulley 30 is loosely mounted is journaled in the right bracket 15at the junction of the arms 26 .and 27. The shaft 31 extends forwardly'of the machine and at its forward end has secured thereto a bevelpinion 98 which constantly meshes with a bevel gear 99 secured to amagazine shaft 100 which extends across to the opposite side of themachine and is journaled in its ends in bracket extensions 101 which areformed integrally with the brackets 15 and which comprise a part of themagazine structure. Fixedly attached to the rear end of the shaft 31 isa pair of striker arms 102 which extend in opposite directions radiallyfrom said shaft so that the angular distance between the tips of saidarms measures a distance represented by an angle of 180 degrees. Asshown in Fig. 1, these arms are shaped to generally present a turnstileeffect, each arm being slightly bowed with the concave side thereofdisposed for actuation by the roller 50. This curved shape of the arms102 insures a positive retention of the roller 50 within the tipthereof, adequately preventing any tendency of said roller to slide overthe ends of the tip as might occur were the machine subject to stoppageof any kind, originating in another source. When either of these arms isactuated in the manner hereinatfer described, they are movedapproximately through the angle indicated for the purpose of indexingthe curtain roller magazine through the interaction of the bevel gears98 and 99, the extent of the move ment being such that the degree ofrotation as indicated causes a rotation of the magazine through anangular distance equal to the spaces between successive pairs of curtainrollers in the magazine, as explained more particularly hereinafter. Atthe lower part of the apparatus, a similar construction for indexing thelower magazine is provided, the sole difference between the twoconstructions being one of location, the lower indexing mechanism beingdisposed adjacent the left end of the lower magazine, while the upperindexing mechanism is disposed closely adjacent the right end of theupper magazine, thus insuring a maximum time display of acurtain fromeither magazine. The lower magazine shaft 102 (see Figs. 1 and 2) isjournaled in the bracket extension 103 which correspond generally to thesimilar, upper bracket extensions 101, and are likewise formed integralwith the lower brackets 15. The left end of the shaft 102 is provided,

with a bevel gear 103 which meshes with a bevel pinion 1'04 fixed on theshaft 39. The shaft 39 has also rigidly attached thereto on the rear endthereof a pair of striker arms 105, which are similar to the arms 102and function in an identi cal manner.

The wound roller curtains showing the subject matter which is to bedisplayed are carried in upper and. lower magazines, provision beingmade for abstracting the curtain rollers singly from each of thmagazines at periodic times, and the structure whereby these curtainrollers are carried will now be described.

Referring to Figsl, 2, 3, 8 and 9, and considering the upper magazine106, the latter comprises a pair of end disks 107 which are rigidlymounted on a hub 108, each hub being fixed on the magazine shaft 100.Each of the disks 107 is'provided with a plurality of equi-spaced slots109 extending inwardly from the periphery thereof (see Fig. 3) and eachof the slots 109 is intended to receive the squaredends 110 of 'aspecial form of curtain roller 111, which roller will now be described.Specifically, the curtain roller 111 comprises a tube 112, in the rightend of which, as viewed in Fig. 20, is fixedly secured a plug 113 havinga threaded extension 114 of reduced-diameter extending for apredetermined distance within the interior of the tube 112. The outerend of the plug 113 may be provided with a partispherical surface 115,against which rides the inner face of one squared end 116 of the roller.

The end 116 is provided with a stem 117 which passes completely throughthe plug 113 in a suitable hole provided for that purpose and is securedagainst outward movement by a ring 118 which is seated in an annulargroove provided on the inner end-of the stem 117 and which seats againstthe stem 117 as a bearing. Extending inwardly from i' 1 the outer end ofthe head 116 is a hole 119 which is intended to receive one of the bails69 or 70, as above described, when the curtain roller is positioned inthe carrier. At the left end of the tube 112, a plug 120 is inserted inthe end of said tube and fixedly attached thereto. The outer end of theplug 120 is provided with a parti-spherical surface 121, against whichbears the inner face of a square head 122 also provided with a hole 122similar to the hole 119, which constitutes the left end of the curtainroller and which is provided with a stem 123 extending through asuitable hole in the plug 120 beyond the inner face thereof and the stemhas fixed on the inner end thereof a threaded sleeve 124 having adiameter less than the inside diameter of the tube 112. Threaded on thesleeve 124 and the extension 114 are the op-- posite ends of a coilspring 125 which, when wound in the usual manner, provides the necessaryenergy to insure a return of the roller from an unrolled to a rolledposition. The specific advantages of the foregoing type of rcilerconstruction resides in the that the heads 115 and 122, the plugs 120and 113, the coil spring 125 and the tube 112 have a common,longitudinal axis and are maintained in th relative positions indicated.so that when the curtain which is attached to the tube 112 in anyapproved manner is unrolled for display, thus storing nergy in thespring 125, none of the above parts are capable of assuming axiallymisaligned positions with respect to each other, so that the severalparts of the cur ain roller always operate freely and easily with aminimum of energy expenditure. When a curtain is unwound, the curtainends 116 and 122 are held fixed. as described more particularlyhereinafter, while the tube 112 rotates. At the left end of the roller,the tube 112 is journaled on the stem 123 through the plug 120, thesleeve 124 being held fixed with the end 122, while at the opposite endof the roller the tube 112 is journaled on the stem 117 by means of theplug 113 which includes the threaded extension 114. Accordingly, thespring 125 wiil be held fixed at one end by the sleeve 124 and at theopposite end will be rotated through the medium of the extension 114,thus winding the spring and storing up the necessary energy therein. Asa further refinement in structure. it will be noted that theparti-spherical surfaces 115 and 121 provide for a minimum of irictionalcontact with the ends 116 and 122.

The squared ends 116 and 122 fit closely within the slots 109, so thatas long as the curtain rollers lie positioned in the magazine, there isno possibility of the spring 125 losing such energy as may be storedtherein through an inadvertent release of the ends 115 and 122 forrotation. Each roller 111 has secured thereto one end of a curtain 126which is thereafter wound on said tube for the major portion of itslength and the opposite end of said curtain is secured to a rod 127which is bridged between the disks 107 (see Fig. 21). As a means ofpermitting any or all of these curtain rollers to be removed entirelyfrom the magazine F for the purpose of inserting new rollers, orefffecting a repositioning of the same around the disk 107, one end ofthe rod 127 is provided with an axial hole 128 extending inwardly fromthe end of said rod for a predetermined distance, within said rod isreciprocably mounted one end of a stem 129. The inner end of the stem129 may be bored as at 130 to receive one end of a coil spring 131, theopposite end of which abuts against the base of the hole 128, the innerend of the stem 129 in its normal position being spaced from the base ofsaid hole so that said stem may be moved toward said base to eiiect aremoval of the rod 127. The outward movement of the stem 129 under thepressure exerted by the spring 131 is prevented by curling the end edgeof the annular shell formed by the hole 128 to provide a retaining lip132. Externally of said lip, the stem 129 fits freely within an apertureprovided in the adjacent disk 107 and a washer 133 is attached to saidstem and is normally pressed against the inner face of the disk 107 bythe spring 131. When the curtain rollers 111 and their accompanying rods127 are assembled in the disk 107, they are located with respect to eachother in the manner shown generally in Fig. 2, the rods 127 beingcircumferentially spaced around a cir cle which is concentric with thecircle which includes the centers of the rollers 111, but within thelast named circle. It will be further noted by referring to Fig. 2 thatthe axis of each rod 127 is angularly advanced with respect to the axisof its companion roller tube 112, as is required by the successiveconvolutions of the curtain as it is wound upon the roller and therebyinsuring that the roller can wind and unwind with a high degree offreedom with respect to the rod 127.

In order to prevent a dropping out of the curtain rollers when occupyingpositions in those slots 109 which are located beneath the shaft 100,each bracket extension 101 is provided with a peripheral flange 134 (seeFigs. 8 and 9) which extends toward the adjacent disk 107, thisconstruction being employed for each end of the upper magazine. As shownin Fig. 1, the supporting ends 116 and 122 of each curtain roller extendcompletely through the disks 107. so that the lowermost curtain rollersare retained in position in th magazine by means of the peripheralflanges 134 which contact with the indicated ends of each curtainroller. The disks 107 are also provided with a slot 135, each of whichhas a suflicient width and. depth to receive the upper ends of theblocks 64, which are located on the carrier 52, this reception occurringat a time of roller transfer from the magazine to the carrier and fromthe carrier to the magazine when the carrier is occupying its uppermostposition. The slot 135 extends from the lower side of the extension 101vertically upward for the desired distance, wh ch distance will be thatnecessary to secure such an insertion of the blocks 64 in the slots 135as will place the ends of the curtain rollers then carried by saidcarrier at the same radial distance from the magazine shaft 100 as arethe remaining curtain rollers in the magazine 105. Referring to Fig. 17,it will be noted that the peripheral flange 134. adjacent the right sideof the slot 135 as viewed in said figure, is bent downwardly and towardthe left to provide a cam surface 136 for a purpose hereinafterexplained. The peripheral flange 134 carries the bumpers 82, abovereferred to, which contact with the concealing bar 81 to properly shiftthe same as above described.

t lower end of the apparatus, is located a magazine 137 which. isidentical in every respect with the magazine 106 already described andto such an extent that said magazines may be inter chang d withoutaffecting the operation of the mechanism. Therefore. it will be notnecessary i to describe the lower magazine in detail. Asregards thesupport for the lower magazine 137, the bracket extensions 103 areprovided with slots 138, which correspond in size to the slots 135, butthe former slots are located on the upper side of the extension 103, sothat the reciprocable carrier may move into correct operative relationwith the lower magazine in the same manner as described for the uppermagazine.

The operation of my improved display apparatus will now be described:

The motor operates constantly during the functioning of the apparatusand the ratio of the diameters of the driving and driven pulleys 21 and23, respectively, will be so arranged that the normal speed of the motorwill be suitably reduced so that the mechanism of the apparatus properwill operate at the slow speed desired for the visual operation of thecurtains as successively displayed. For purpose of description, theposition of the parts of the machine will be considered as they areshown in Fig. 1, with the reciprocating carrier in an intermediateposition between the upper and lower magazines and moving upwardly toeffect an unrolling of a curtain from the lower magazine for display anda rerolling of a curtain from the upper magazine for removal fromobservation. During this movement, the supporting ends of a curtainroller from the lower magazine are carried in the slots 61 provided inthe block 64, while the supporting ends of the curtain roller from theupper magazine are supported in the slots 60- which are also provided insaid blocks.

Also, in this position of the reciprocating carrier, the drivingconnection between the belt 29 and said carrier is as shown generally inFig. 2, the roller 49 riding freely between the wear strips 84 in theright slot 82 on the traveling bar 53. Referring now to- Fig. 18, theroller 49, bringing with it the reciprocating carrier, graduallyapproaches the right pulley 34 and begins to move through the arcrepresented by the left, upper quadrant of said pulley, until saidroller reaches a position lying in the vertical plane which includes thestub shaft 33 of the pulley 34 in question, at which point, furtherupward movement of the reciprocating carrier ceases, since the roller 49is at that time moving substantially in a horizontal plane toward theright, as viewed in Fig. 18. During the traverse of the left, upperquadrant of the right pulley 34, the embedded strip bends freely andeasily around said pulley and in order to counterbalance the loadcarried by the roller 49, which at this time is in driving engagementwith the reciprocable carrier, the roller 50 is caused to ride along acurved surface formed by a rib 139 which is provided on the bracket 31(see Fig. 18). Owing to the length of the wear strips 84, supportingconnection between theroller 49 and the carrier is maintained untilafter the portion of said roller between the bar 53' and the beltcontacts with the cam surface 95 on the latch plate 85. When socontacted, said latch is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, asviewed in Fig. 18, to engage the hook 93 with the roller 94 on saidcarrier, thereby securely retaining the latter in the position to whichthe belt has moved the same, and also at the same time moving the camsurface 9'? downwardly for upper magazine 106, the concealing bar 81 hasmoved in a downward direction by contact with the bumpers 82, and theupper ends of the blocks 64 on the carrier have been inserted in theslots 135 to place the ends of the curtain rollers then occupying theslots 60 in substantially the position shown in Fig. 17, this positionalso correspending with those slots 109 from which the curtain ends inquestion have been previously extracted.

Thereafter, the belt 29 with its rollers 49 and 50 passes around thepulley and the roller 50 engages during contact of the belt with saidpulley with an end of one of the striker arms 102 to move the sameangularly a distance corresponding to the distance between successiveslots 109 in the disk 107, and this movement is transferred through thebevel gears 98 and 99 to the magazine shaft 100. This indexing movementtherefore moves away from registration with the slots 185 the ends ofthe curtain roller which has just been returned to the magazine andbrings into registration with said slots the ends of the next curtainroller to be displayed, the direction of rotation being indicated by thearrow 140 in Fig. 17. It is during this transfer period that the camsurface 62 formed on the slot 60 and the cam surface 136 formed on theperipheral flange 134 become effective, if by reason of wear orinaccuracy of parts, the carrier exhibits a tendency to settledownwardly from the correct position indicated in Fig. 17. If thecarrier should occupy such a depressed condition, it will be noted that,when the disk 10'? is rotated, thereby moving out of the slot 60 thecurtain roller ends then held, said ends will contact with the camsurface 136 and will serve to pull the carrier upwardly to its correctposition. In the same manher, the ends of the curtain roller next to bereceived by the carrier will contact with the cam surface 62 in the slot60 to perform a like service in raising the carrier to its correcttransfer position. After the roller 50 passes out of engagement with thestriker arms 102, the belt travels around the pulley 28 and finallyapproaches the left end of the traveling bar 53 for the purpose ofreengaging the reciprocating carrier. During the time that the roller 49was released from driving engagement with said car rier until saidroller has traversed the pulley 28, the curtain from the lower magazine137 has been displayed for its full length.

Referring now to Fig. 18, the roller 49 approaches the left, or open endof the slot 83 and becomes engaged with the left extremities of the wearstrips 84, so that full supporting engagement of the carrier by the beltis first obtained. Immediately thereafter, the roller 49 contacts withthe cam surface 9'7 to thereby rock the latch 85 in a clockwisedirection and free the hook 93 of engagement with the roller 94. Thecarrier is thereupon free to be moved downwardly, but it will beparticularly noted that such downward movement does not begin until thelatch 85 is completely released from engagement with the roller 94,since the unlatching movement of the roller 49 is accomplished while thelatter is moving in a substantially horizontal plane and thereforeincapable of imparting any directional tendency to the carrier.Thereafter, the roller 49 travels around the periphery of the leftpulley 34 represented by the right, upper quadrant of said pulley, theroller 50 at this time bearing against the curved rib 139, until theroller 49 leaves said pulley for vertical movement downward.

It will be understood that the indexing of the upper magazine 106 willhave been completely accomplished prior to any downward movement of thecarrier and that also prior to such movement, said magazine will havebecome substantially fixed in position owing to the impossibility ofinadvertently rotating said magazine except by an actuation of thestriker arms 192. During the downward movement of the carrier, thecurtain roller from the upper magazine is carried thereby with theopposite ends of the curtain retained in position on the magazinethrough being connected to the rod 127. Therefore, since the squaredends 116 and 122 are prevented from turning by the walls of the slot 60,the downward movement of said carrier for display of the curtains fromthe upper magazine will effect a winding movement of the tube 112 and astorage of energy in the spring 125, so that when the carrier begins itsupward movement, the tube 112 will wind itself easily and naturallywithout any necessity for extraneous mechanism. a

When the carrier reaches the limit of its downward movement, the sameoperative steps are followed as just indicated for the upper magazine,namely, the roller 49 is released from driving engagement with thecarrier just subsequent to the actuation of the lower hatch 92 intoholding position with the roller 94, it being understood by referring toFig. 19 that the lower latch 92 is similarly shaped to the upper latch85, but is reversely positioned relative thereto, so that the hook 141of the lower latch projects upwardly. Similarly, the latch 92 isprovided with cam surfaces 142 and 143 which correspond in profile andfunction to the cam surfaces 95 and 97, respectively, and the latch 92is maintained in either holding or releasing position relative to thecarrier by means of a spring similar to the spring 90, the mounting ofthe latch 92 and the tube 18 being identical with that of the latch 85.During this movement of the roller 49 at the lower part of the machine,the curtain roller from the lower magazine that has just been displayedis positioned in the awaiting slots 109 in the disks 107 of the lowermagazine, whereupon said magazine is indexed by actuating one of thestriker arms 105 by the roller 50 to place the next curtain roller inposition to be abstracted by the slots on the carrier. The roller 49then returns to renew its driving engagement with the carrier, so thatthe latter reciprocates between the two magazines to successivelydisplay in alternative order curtains from each of the magazines, thetime for the display of the full length of any one curtain beingdetermined by the time required for the travel of the roller 49 fromreleasing engagement with the carrier to a renewal of the drivingengagement therewith. In renewing its driving engagement with thecarrier when the latter is adjacent the lower magazine, it will beobserved by referring to Fig. 19, and considering that the traveling bar53 is occupying its lowermost position, that the roller 49 first engageswith said bar between the wear strips 84, thereby insuring a correctengagement of the roller 49 with the cam surface 143 and a releasing ofthe latch 92 to permit movement of the carrier upwardly.

Under certain conditions, it may happen that less than the totalcapacity of the magazine is employed, so that unless something were provided to index the magazine a distance greater than that possible by ahalf revolution of either of the striker arms 102 or 105, the carriermight move in one direction without efiecting the display of a curtainfrom its trailing side. For purpose of illustration, it will be assumedthat only half of the total capacity of each of the magazines shown inthe drawings is utilized. Under these conditions, the curtain rollerswould be spaced around the disk 10'? with an empty slot 109 locatedbetween adjacent rollers. Hence, it would be necessary to index each ofthe magazines a distance which is twice that required when each magazineis completely filled. For this purpose, the belt 29 would be providedwith a second roller, corresponding generally to the roller 50 andspaced therefrom a distance slightly greater than the semi-circumferenceof either of the pulleys S0 or 39, so that immediately upon completionor" an actuating movement of one of the striker arms 102 or 105, as thecase may be, which would correspond to an indexing of either magazinefrom one slot 109 to the next slot 109 around the periphery of themagazine, the second roller would engage with that striker arm which wasoriginally opposite to the striker arm engaged by the roller 50 tothereby move either the shaft 31 or the shaft 40 through an additionalhalf revolution, thus indexing to the next slot which is occupied by acurtain roller. Similar dispositions in the locations of additionalrollers, corresponding tothe roller 50, may be adopted, dependent uponthe number of rollers which are mounted in the magazine and the angularrelation between adjacent rollers.

While I have shown one set of elements and combinations thereof foreffectuating my improved display apparatus, it will be understood thatthe same is intended for purpose of illustration only and in no wise torestrict the mechanism to the exact forms and structures shown for manychanges may be made therein without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

I claim:

1. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame andarranged tocooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in saidopening and to rewind for removal, and movable means operating on theframe and engageable with said carrier substantially close to the centerthereof for reciprocating the same, said means comprising oppositelymoving portions disposed on opposite sides of the center of said carrierand the spacing of said portions being not greater than required foradequate clearance.

2. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged tocooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in saidopening and to rewind for removal, and an endless, movable memberoperating on the frame and engageable with said carrier substantiallyclose to the center thereof for reciprocating the same, said membercomprising oppositely moving portions disposed on opposite sides of thecenter of the carrier and the spacing of said portions being not greaterthan required for adequate clearance.

3. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged tocooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in saidopening and to rewind for removal, and a continuously moving, endlessmember operating on the frame and engageable with said carriersubstantially close to the center thereof for reciprocating the same,said member comprising oppositely moving portions disposed on oppositesides of the center of said carrier and the spacing of said portionsbeing not greater than required for adequate clearance.

4. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged tocooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in saidopening and to rewind for removal, guide members on said frame adjacentthe movement limits of said carrier and oifset from the median line ofthe carrier traverse, and a movable member operating over I said guidemembers for engagement with said carrier substantially close to thecenter thereof to reciprocate the same.

5. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged tocooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in saidopening and to rewind for removal, a pair of guide members on said frameadjacent each movement limit of said carrier, the members of each pairbeing offset on opposite sides of the median line of the carriertraverse, a movable, endless member operating in one direction over theguide members on one side of said median line and in the oppositedirection over the other guide members for engagement with said carriersubstantially close to, and on opposite sides of, the center thereof toreciprocate the same, the spacing of the oppositely moving portions ofsaid member from the center of said carrier being not greater thanrequired for adequate clearance, and means for guiding said endlessmember during its movement between the guide members of each pair.

6. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged tocooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in saidopening and to rewind for removal, a pair of guide members on said frameadjacent each movement limit of said carrier, the members of each pairbeing offset on opposite sides of the median line of the carriertraverse, a continuously moving, endless member operating in onedirection over the guide members on one side of said median line and inthe opposite direction over the other guide members for engagement withsaid carrier substantially close to, and on opposite sides of, thecenter thereof to reciprocate the same, the spacing of the oppositelymoving portions of said member from the center of said carrier being notgreater than required for adequate clearance, and means for guiding saidendless member during its movement between the guide members of eachpair.

'7. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged tocooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in saidopening and to rewind for removal, a pair of guide members on said frameadjacent each movement limit of said carrier, the members of each pairbeing offset on opposite-sides of the median line of the carriertraverse, a movable endless member operating in one direction over theguide members on one side of said median line and in the oppositedirection over the other guide members for engagement with said carriersubstantially close to, and on opposite sides of, the center thereof toreciprocate the same, the spacing of the oppositely moving portions ofsaid member from the center of said carrier being not greater thanrequired for adequate clearance, means for guiding said endless memberduring its movement between the guide members of each pair, and meansfor retaining said carrier in position for the return traverse duringthe last-named movement of said endless member.

8. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged tocooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in saidopening and to rewind for removal, a pair of guide members on said frameadjacent each movement limit of said carrier, the members of each pairbeing offset on opposite sides of the median line of the carriertraverse, a continuously moving, endless member operating in onedirection over the guide members on one side of said median line and inthe opposite direction over the other guide members for engagement withsaid carrier substantially close to, and on opposite sides of, thecenter thereof to reciprocate the same, the spacing of the oppositelymoving portions of said member from the center of said carrier being notgreater than required for adequate clearance, means for guiding saidendless member during its movement between the guide members of eachpair, and means for retaining said carrier in position for the returntraverse during the last-named movement of said endless member.

9. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged tocooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in saidopening and to rewind for removal, a pair of pulleys on said frameadjacent each movement limit of said carrier, the pulleys of each pairbeing offset on opposite sides of the median line of the carriertraverse, a movable, endless belt operating in one direction over thepulleys on one side of said median line and in the opposite directionover the pulleys on the other side of said line, said belt having aprojecting stud engageable with said carrier relatively close to thecenter thereof for reciprocating the same, and other pulleys for guidingsaid belt during its movement between the pulleys of each pair.

10. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged tocooperate with said our tain to unwind the same for display in saidopening and to rewind for removal, a pair of pulleys on said frameadjacent each movement limit of said carrier, the pulleys of each pairbeing offset 3 I on opposite sides of the median line of the carriertraverse, a movable, endless belt operating in one direction over thepulleys on one side of said median line and in the opposite directionover the pulleys on the other side of said line,

said belt having a projecting stud engageable with said carrierrelatively close to the center thereof for reciprocating the same, otherpulleys for guiding said belt during its movement between the pulleys ofeach pair, means for releasing said stud from engagement with saidcarrier prior to said guiding movement of the belt and reengaging saidstud with said carrier upon the completion of said guiding movement, andmeans for holding said carrier during said guiding movement.

11. A display apparatus comprising in cornbinaticn, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain Wound onsaid roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged tocooperate with said ourtain to unwind the same for display in saidopening and to rewind for removal, a pair of pulleys on said frameadjacent each movement limit of said carrier, the pulleys of each pairbeing oilset on opposite sides of the median line of the carriertraverse, a movable, endless belt operating in one direction over thepulleys on one side of said median line and in the opposite directionover the pulleys on the other side of said line, said belt having aprojecting stud engageable with said carrier relatively close to thecenter thereof for reciprocating the same, other pulleys for guidingsaid chain during its movement between the pulleys of each pair, meansfor releasing said stud from engagement with said carrier prior to saidguiding movement of the belt and reengaging said stud with said carrierupon the completion of said guiding movement, and means for holding saidcarrier during said guiding movement, said holding means being engagedand released prior and subsequent to, respectively, the releasing andreengaging of said stud with said carrier.

12. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier having an open-ended slot reciprocable in saidframe and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same fordisplay in said opening and to rewind for removal, guide members on saidframe offset from the median line of the carrier traverse, a movablemember operating over said members and periodically engageable with thewalls of said slot substantially close to the center of said carrier forreciprocating the same, and means for guiding said member to engage anddisengage the same with said slot through the end thereof.

13. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier having an open-ended slot reciprocable in saidframe and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same fordisplay in said opening and to rewind for removal, said slot beingnormally disposed to the direction of curtain display, guide members onsaid frame offset from the median line of the carrier traverse, amovable member operating over said members and periodically engageablewith the walls of said slot substantially close to the center of saidcarrier for reciprocating the same, and means for guiding said member toengage and disengage the same with said slot through the end thereof.

14. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier having an open-ended slot reciprocable in saidframe and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same fordisplay in said opening and to rewind for removal, guide members on saidframe offset from the median line of the carrier traverse, a movablemember operating over said members and periodically engageable with thewalls of said slot substantially close to the center of said carrier forreciprocating the same, and means for guiding said member to engage anddisengage the same with said slot through the end thereof, saidengagement and disengagement being effected at the same end of saidslot, respectively.

15. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged tocooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in saidopening and to rewind for removal, said carrier comprising a hollow barprovided with a pair of aligned slots normally disposed to the directionof curtain display along one side thereof, the inner ends of said slotsterminating relatively close to the mid-point of said carrier and theouter ends being open, a movable member periodically engageable with thewalls of said slots for reciprocating said carrier, said member engagingwith said slots, respectively, to move said carrier in oppositedirections, and means for guiding said member to engage and disengagethe same with said slots through the ends thereof.

16. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier having an open-ended slot reciprocable in saidframe and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same fordisplay in said opening and to rewind for removal, guide members on saidframe offset from the median line of the carrier traverse, a movablemeniher operating over said members and periodically engageable with thewalls of said slot substantially close to the center of said carrier forreciprocating the same, and rotary guide members for controlling theengagement of said member with and disengagement from said slot throughthe ends thereof.

17. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier having an open-ended slot reciprocable in saidframe and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same fordisplay in said opening and to rewind for removal, a movable, endlessbelt periodically en gageable with the walls of said slot for reciprocating said carrier, a pair of guide members on said frame adjacent eachmovement limit of said carrier, said belt operating in one directionover one guide member of each pair and in the opposite direction overthe other guide members for reciprocating said carrier, and said membersguiding said belt to engage and disengage the same with said slotthrough the ends thereof, and means for guiding said belt during itsmovement between the guide members of each pair.

18. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain slots reciprocable in said frame and arranged tocooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in saidopening and to rewind for removal, said slots being normally disposed tothe direction of curtain display withtheir inner ends terminatingrelatively close to the mid-point of the carrier and their outer endsopen, a pair of guide members on said frame adjacent each movement limitof said carrier, the members of each pair being offset on opposite sidesof the median line of the carrier traverse, a movable, endless beltoperating in one direction over the guide members on one side of saidmedian line and in the opposite direction over the other guide membersfor engagement with the walls of said slot substantially close to thecenter thereof to reciprocate said carrier, said members guiding saidbelt to engage and disengage the same with said slot through the endsthereof, and means for guiding said belt during its movement between theguide members of each pair.

19. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain having anopen-ended slot reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperatewith said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and torewind for removal, a pair of guide members on said frame adjacent eachmovement limit of said carrier, a movable, endless belt operating in onedirection over one guide member of each pair and in the oppositedirection over the other guide members for reciprocating said carrier,said members guiding said belt to engage and disengage the same withsaid slot through the ends thereof, means for guiding said belt duringits movement between the guide members of each pair, and means forretaining said carrier in position for the return traverse during thelast-named movement of said belt.

20. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier having an open-ended slot reciprocable in saidframe and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same fordisplay in said opening, and to rewind for removal, a pair of guidemembers on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, amovable, endless belt operating in one direction over one guide memberof each pair and in the opposite direction over the other guide membersfor reciprocating said carrier, said members guiding said belt to engageand disengage the same with said slot through the ends thereof, andmeans comprising other guide members for guiding and driving said beltduring its movement between the guide members of the pair adjacent themounting of said roller.

21. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier having an open-ended, centrally disposed slotreciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtainto unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind forremoval, said slot being normally disposed to the direction of curtaindisplay, a pair of guide members on said frame adjacent each movementlimit of said carrier, a movable, endless belt operating in onedirection over one guide member of each pair and in the oppositedirection over the other guide members for reciprocating said carrier,said members guiding said belt to engage and disengage the same withsaid slot through the ends thereof, and means comprising other guidemembers for guiding and driving said belt during its movement betweenthe guide members adjacent the mounting of said roller in said frame.

22. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier having an open-ended slot reciprocable in saidframe and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same fordisplay in said opening and to rewind for removal, a pair of guidemembers on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, amovable, endless belt having a projecting stud operating in onedirection over one guide member of each pair and in the oppositedirection over the other guide members for reciprocating said carrier,said members driving said belt to engage and disengage said stud withsaid slot through the ends thereof, and means comprising other guidemembers for guiding and driving said belt during its movement betweenthe guide members of each pair, each of said pairs of guide membersreleasing said stud from engagement with said slot prior to its movementbetween the guide members of each pair and re-engaging said stud withsaid slot upon the completion of said movement, and means for holdingsaid carrier during the disengaged periods of said stud.

23. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound onsaid roller, a carrier having an open-ended slot reciprocable in saidframe and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same fordisplay in said opening and to rewind for removal, a pair of guidemembers on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, amovable, endless belt having a projecting stud periodically engageablewith the walls of said slot operating in one direction over one guidemember of each pair and in the opposite direction over the other guidemembers for reciprocating said carrier, said members guiding said beltto engage and disengage the same with said slot through the endsthereof, and means comprising other guide members for guiding anddriving said belt during its movement between the guide members of eachpair, each of said pairs of guide members releasing said stud fromengagement with said slot prior to its movement between the guidemembers of each pair and re-engaging said stud with said slot upon thecompletion of said movement, and means for holding said carrier duringthe disengaged periods of said stud, said holding means being engagedand released prior and subsequent to, respectively, the releasing andre-engaging of said stud with said slot.

24. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a magazine adjacent said opening, a plurality of wound curtainspositioned in said magazine, a carrier reciprocabie in said frame andadapted to efiect' an unwinding of said curtains singly for display insaid opening and a rewinding for removal, means for connecting each ofsaid curtains to said carrier, and a movable member engageable with saidcarrier substantially close to the center thereof for reciprocating thesame, said member comprising oppositely moving portions disposed onopposite sides of the center of said carrier and the spacing of saidportions being not greater than required for adequate clearance.

25. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a rotary magazine adjacent said opening, a plurality of woundcurtains disposed in said magazine, a carrier reciprocable in said frameand adapted to effect an unwinding of each of said curtains successivelyfor display in said opening and a rewinding for removal, means forindexing said magazine to place each of said curtains in position forunwinding, and a movable ember engageable Vv'ltll said carriersubstantially close to the center t eef for reciprocating the and withsaid means for indexing said magazine.

26. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a rotary magazine adjacent said opening, a plurality of woundcurtains disposed in magazine, a carrier reciprocable in said frame andadapted to effect an unwinding of each of sa d curtains successively fordisplay in opening and a rewinding for removal, a movable member havinga projecting stud engageable with said carrier for reciprocating thesame, a second stud formed on said member, a rotatable shaft having afinger attached hereto, a driving connection between said shaft andmagazine, and means for guiding the movement of said member including anidler loose on said shaft, said second stud en aging said finger torotate said magazine during the contact of said member with said idlerto bring the next curtain into cooperative relation with said carrier.

27. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a rotary magazine adjacent said opening, a plurality of wouncurtains disposed in said magazine, a carrier reciprocable in said frameand adapted to effect an unwinding of each of said curtains successivelyfor display in said opening and a rewinding for removal, a movable,endless belt having a projecting stud engageable with said carrier forreciprocating the same, a second stud formed on said belt, a rotatableshaft having a finger attached thereto, a driving connection compri ingmeshing gears on said shaft and magazine, and means for guiding themovement of said belt including an idler loose on said shaft, saidsecond stud actuating said finger to rotate said magazine during contactof said belt with said idler to bring the next curtain into cooperativerelation with said carrier.

28. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a rotary magazine adjacent said opening, a plurality of woundcurtains disposed in said magazine, a carrier reciprocable in frame andadapted to efiect an unwinding of each of said curtains successively fordisplay in said opening and a rewinding for removal, 2. pair of guidemembers on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, amovable, endless belt, having a projecting stud operating in onedirection over one guide member of each pair and in the oppositedirection over the other guide member for reciprocating said carrier, asecond stud formed on said belt, means for guiding said belt during itsmovement between the pair of guide members remote from said magazine, arotatable shaft having a finger attached thereto, a driving connectionbetween said shaft and magazine, and means for guiding the movement ofsaid belt during its movement between the pair of guide members engagingsaid magazine including an idler loose on said shaft, said second studactuating said finger to rotate said magazine during contact of saidbelt with said idler to bring the next curtain into cooperative relationwith said carrier.

29. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a rotary magazine adjacent an end of said opening, a pluralityof wound curtains disposed in each of said magazines, a carrierreciprocable between said magazines and adapted to effect an unwindingof the curtains of each magazine singly for display in said opening anda rewinding for removal, the display movement of a curtain one ofmagazines being concurrent with a rewindin novement of a curtain fromthe other of said azines, a of guide members on said frame a acent eachmovement limit of said carrier, the members of h pair being offset onopposite sides of medi line of the carrier traverse, a movable, endlessbelt operating in one direction over the members on one side of saidmedian line and in the opposite d rection over the other guide members,said belt having a projecting stud engegeable with said carrierrelatively close to the center thereof for reciprocating th same, asecand stud formed on said belt, a rotatable shaft provided with afinger mounted adjacent each of said magazines, a driving connectionbetween each of said shafts and the coacting magazine, said second studbeing engageable with one of said fingers while moving between theadjacent guide members of each pair for rotating the correspondingmagazine to place each of the curtains thereof successively in positionfor unwinding by said carrier.

30. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a rotary azine adjacent said opening, a plurality of woundcurtains disposed in said magazine, a carrier reciprocable in said frameand adapted to effect an unwinding of each of said curtains successive1y for display in said opening and a rewinding for removal, a movablemember having a pro ecting stud engageable with said carrier forreciprocating the same, a second stud formed on said member, a rotatableshaft having an arcuate finger attached thereto, a driving connectionbetween said shaft and magazine, and means for guiding the movement ofsaid m mber including an idler loose on said shaft, said secondstudengaging the concave side of said finger to rotate said magazineduring the contact of said member with said idler to bring the nextcurtain into cooperative relation with said carrier.

31. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having anopening, a rotary magazine adjacent each end of said opening, aplurality of wound curtains disposed in each of said magaz nes, acarrier reciprocable in said frame between said magazines and adapted toeffect an unwinding of the curtains of each magazine singly for displayin said opening and a rewinding for removal, the display movement of acurtain from one magazine being concurrent with a rewinding movement ofa curtain for the other magazine, means for indexing said magazines toplace each of the curtains thereof in position for unwinding, and amovable. endless member engageable with said carrier substantially closeto the center thereof for reciprocating the same and with said means forindexing said magazines.

32. A display apparatus comprising in combination. a frame having anopening, a rotary magazine adjacent said opening having end membersprovided with a plurality of radial slots opening outwardly, a pluralityof curtain rollers'removably positioned in said magazine with the endsof said rollers located in a cooperative pair of said slots, a curtainwound on each of said rollers and having one end thereof secured to saidroller and the

